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Out with the pews as churches modernise

NEW LOOK: From left, parish councillor Liz Eales, David Fordham of the project team, Ann Stead, chairman of the project team, the Rev Sue Booys, team rector, and Sandra Tebby, churchwarden, at St John's Church in Stadhampton which is officially revealing

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“It is happening all over the place. There is a trend and it is increasing.

“There are two sorts of major work going on. One is repair and the other is fitting toilets, heating, lighting and flexible seating.

“I would say over the last 10 years or so the number of churches that have come into the latter category is about 20 per cent of all our churches in Oxfordshire.”

CASE STUDY

St John’s has gained the wow factor

STADHAMPTON’S new community hall within its ancient church will open on Friday.

The £500,000 revamp of St John’s Church saw a new kitchen and toilets installed, and its wooden pews replaced with chairs.

Heating, lighting and insulation in the church were also updated.

Work started on March 1 this year and finished in late August.

Chairman of the building project Ann Stead said: “We are delighted that we now have a revitalised church which we will be able to use particularly for the benefit of disadvantaged groups but also for the wider community.”

She added: “The village now has both a village hall and a church with long-sought facilities.”

A lunch club for the elderly and a parent and toddler group are set to launch from the church in the next few weeks. While a youth club is due to open next year.

David Fordham, who helped lead fundraising for the scheme, said: “It is a stunning new building.

“Everybody I have taken around, including some of the doubters, when they go in say “wow”. They really are pleased with what we have achieved.”